Project overview
The I-90/Judkins Park Station—Reconnecting Communities study will identify and recommend changes to the WSDOT I-90 ramps at Rainier Avenue South to improve safe travel for all modes and increase access to the Judkins Park Link light rail station via transit transfer, walking, and biking.
As more people choose to ride transit and connect to the station, we expect more pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-car travelers in the area. We also want to make Judkins Park and nearby neighborhoods more connected by supporting walking, biking, and other ways to get around the community.
Increased connectivity and options provide many community benefits from reduced air pollution, to increased walking and biking access to community businesses, to decreased reliance on cars, and so much more.
We will identify a concept for the I-90 ramps at Rainier Avenue South and then take the concept to the 30% design level, focusing on safe travel for all. The design concept will also support access to the Link station via transit transfers, walking, and cycling. This study will follow a Complete Streets approach and will require an environmental justice assessment.
What to expect
Study process
The study will include community engagement and a joint agency and community working group in the study process. Feedback from the community and the working group is a crucial part of the study process as it ensures that the recommendation developed meet the needs and preferences of the community.
Listening sessions
Listening Sessions are being planned for summer and fall 2024 to hear about transportation challenges and needs and transportation preferences. These sessions will include community-based organizations and other interested parties.
Online Open House and Survey
We will seek out community feedback in a community survey in late summer 2024 and again in an online open house and survey planned for late 2024/early 2025.
Advisory Group
The Advisory Group will consist of public works, engineering, and planning staff from local, regional, state, and tribal entities, as well as community and community-based organization representatives. The Advisory Group serves in an advisory role to WSDOT, providing technical and community feedback at multiple steps in the study process.
Following an open application process, we are selecting 20 members to serve on this Advisory Group. The Advisory Group will meet approximately seven times between now and the end of 2025. Meetings will likely be held online (via Zoom), recorded, and posted here. The Advisory Group roster is coming soon. The first Advisory Group meeting is in December.
Environmental justice assessment
An environmental justice assessment (EJA) will be completed for the I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities Study and Pre-Design. These assessments are conducted for any significant agency action that could harm the environment or impact how environmental benefits are distributed to overburdened communities (OBCs) or vulnerable populations (VPs). An EJA guides decision-making to ensure fair distribution of environmental benefits, reduce environmental harms, and address disparities in both environmental and health outcomes. Meaningful engagement with affected communities is a crucial aspect of this process.
WSDOT is studying the Judkins Park area to improve safe travel for all modes.
